No rival power
See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,
The root of David, has conquered. Revelation 5:5
Read Genesis 49:8—10
First I remember who said this: Jacob, that is, Israel, blessing his sons, this one Judah. He calls him the offspring of a lion. He’s not altogether cuddly. He will command the people’s respect. Then I remember that Jesus is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. And if I have read the Narnia stories I will not help myself, as I come before Jesus tonight, coming with utter reverence. For in these stories the Lion is over all the powers. The Lion is the lightning rod of all holy goodness. The Lion surrenders himself to evil to win the deliverance of the whole land. The Lion draws from us true adoration, and, as all readers know, the Lion is not tame.
Lord Jesus Christ, I do come before you this night as before a lion, as before the one from whom no secrets are hidden; from whom no powers are on the loose which you cannot command, no enemies whom you will not tame or send to their rightful place; no pleasures that thrill, no parties pulsing with life, no pride that swells my chest — none of these things will I truly enjoy if they are not ultimately part of your joy. You have a way of drawing everything together into your purpose so that in the end all things are yours. All made through you, all made for you. And then, under that stern command, with no rival power, everything will be sheer joy.